- The Canyon Fire in Southern California has currently spread to roughly 4,850 acres and prompted mass evacuations.
- The blaze's rapid spread was fueled by extreme heat and dry winds.
- The Gifford Fire in Central California nears 'megafire' status after burning over 99,000 acres.
A rapidly growing wildfire in Southern California has prompted thousands of residents to be evacuated and it continues to grow as heat and dry conditions fuel the rapid spread.
The Canyon Fire ignited early Thursday afternoon and by Friday it had expanded to about 4,850 acres, according to The New York Times.
According to CNN, Thursday was the hottest day of the year for much of the area with temperatures reaching 100 degrees and higher. Dry winds have also contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Because of the fire, over 2,700 people have been asked to evacuate and 14,000 more have received evacuation warnings, according to BBC. Most of the evacuations have taken place in Los Angeles County but there have also been evacuation orders in Ventura County.
As of Friday, the fire has been partially contained and 25% of the perimeter is under control.
On Thursday the fire destroyed at least two structures.
The fire is burning just south of Lake Piru, a reservoir near the Los Padres National Forest about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, per BBC.
The Gifford Fire nears ‘megafire’ status
The Canyon Fire is not the only major fire currently burning in California and a massive fire is currently blazing through the central part of the state.
The Gifford fire is the state’s largest wildfire of the year and as of Thursday evening had burned over 99,000 acres. The fire will reach “megafire” status if it grows to 100,000 acres, per The Weather Channel.
This blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires last week along State Route 166 and is burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. As of Thursday evening it was 15% contained, according to The New York Times.
There have also been evacuation orders from the Gifford Fire and over 800 structures remain threatened by the blaze. According to The Weather Channel, there are over 2,200 personnel working to fight the fire.
According to NBC Los Angeles, there have been over 4,400 wildfires reported in California this year burning a total of 221,100 acres.
